Browns have 2 real injury concerns they can’t afford right now after loss to Jets
There are a couple of injury concerns the Cleveland Browns have coming out of the Week 5 loss to the New York Jets.
Things did not go well for the Cleveland Browns in Week 5, and they took a 17-12 loss to the New York Jets on the road. The Browns’ offense was putrid against New York and didn’t give the team much of a chance to win despite a strong showing from the defense. Cleveland now has new injury concerns to sort through after the loss to the Jets.
Going into the game, the Browns were already without Mason Graham and Mike Hall Jr. along the defensive line. Coming out of it, the list of worries has grown, and it involves two players Cleveland can’t afford to lose.
Browns RB Quinshon Judkins and LB Carson Schwesinger seen in walking boots
According to multiple reports, both Browns running back Quinshon Judkins and linebacker Carson Schwesinger were in right walking boots after the loss to the Jets. The boots could be a precautionary measure for any type of right leg, ankle, or foot injury.
Still, it’s not what you want to see for two key starters on this team. Until there’s a firm update on the injuries, there’s going to be worry there.
Judkins hasn’t been able to get the run game going this season. He had 14 rushes for 44 yards against New York, and he’s up to 221 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on the season, along with 102 receiving yards.
Those numbers aren’t eye-popping, but the Browns’ run game would be struggling even worse without him. Dylan Sampson is already out injured, so losing Judkins for any amount of time would be a big loss for Cleveland’s backfield.
Carson Schwesinger nearly saved the day for Cleveland
On the defensive side, Schwesinger gave the Browns a chance to win the game late. The linebacker came up with a sack and forced fumble on Jets quarterback Geno Smith in the fourth quarter, a timely turnover that put Cleveland in position to steal one on the road.
Schwesinger finished with eight tackles against New York. There’s no hiding that he’s one of the top three defenders on this Browns team, and he already has 43 tackles on the season to go along with the sack and forced fumble.
Any missed time for Schwesinger would be tough for the Browns. Between him and Quincy Williams, Cleveland has a high-level linebacker duo, and that pairing has been a big reason the defense has kept the team in games while the offense sputters.
What’s next for the Browns
We’re going to have to see where the injury updates go for both players. However, being in walking boots does give some worry coming out of the loss to the Jets.
The timing doesn’t help either. The Browns host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in Cleveland, and that’s going to be a physical game in the trenches and at the second level. Having Judkins carrying the rock on offense and Schwesinger to fly around on defense is going to be key against a team like Baltimore.
The injury reports later this week will be telling for the Browns.
